Clare Lodge sanctuary opens after £1m facelift

Clare Lodge sanctuary opens after £1m facelift

16 March 2016

A LEADING charity’s holiday centre in Newcastle has been officially reopened after a £1m facelift.

St Vincent De Paul’s Clare Lodge facility boasts stunning views of the Mournes and the sea and is an oasis of calm for all those who use what is now a stunning, ultra-modern building.

The original premises at Castle Place were demolished in 2012 and rebuilt before last week’s opening ceremony which was performed by Sister Anne McCourt, a member of the Down and Connor Diocesan Youth Commission.

Clare Lodge was taken over by St Vincent de Paul in the early 1970s and from the outset the organisation saw the potential to offer a welcoming holiday experience and essential respite care for those in need. 

The building offers short respite breaks for families and individuals who experience poverty and exclusion or who are in need of a relaxing and safe environment.

Clare Lodge manager, Brenda McLarnon, said the old facility did not meet the needs of guests, explaining it had dormitory-style rooms and was very restricted in what it could offer.

“We had insufficient space to extend our reach and the variety and range of services required,” she explained. “The decision to rebuild has opened up a wealth of possibilities for our guests and Clare Lodge is now very bright, fresh and welcoming and we have stunning views overlooking the beach.”

Brenda said as a result of the building’s new lay out, communal style accommodation has been replaced with spacious, en suite bedrooms suitable for single, double and family stays and larger rooms for community organisations to gather.

“Clare Lodge is more than just a holiday centre. We are very keen to use our facilities to offer additional outreach programmes that would enrich the experience of people visiting us through a ‘community connections programme.

“This would include teaming up with other charities and community and voluntary organisations such as those supporting the elderly, families, those with a disability or those supporting people suffering from mental health issues,” Brenda explained.

She added: “Overall, we are aiming to provide a holistic experience that will encourage participation, develop both confidence and coping skills, as well as stimulate a more positive outlook on life.”

Sister Anne, a long time supporter of Clare Lodge, said she was delighted the facility is open again.

“Clare Lodge has been a part of my life for so long and means a lot to not only me, but also to all of the many guests that have come through its doors and benefited from its welcoming warmth and hospitality over the years,” she said.

Sister Anne paid tribute to Charlie and Anne Hughes for looking after Clare Lodge for many years on behalf of the charity. She said the couple “truly extended” the charity’s ethos of caring, extending her appreciation to current manager Brenda who “demonstrates the same welcoming warmth to guests.”

She added: “I have already visited this new facility several times with various groups and hope to return many more times this year. Our young people have likened the new building to a first class hotel and thoroughly enjoyed the facilities, atmosphere and the food, as well as the trust and faith extended to them by the Clare Lodge team.

“This truly is a beautiful building in an outstanding location, surpassed only by the wonderful caring ethos. I am heartened Clare Lodge is continuing to be a sanctuary into the future, helping people from all walks of life.”

St Vincent De Paul regional manager, Pauline Brown, said the charity is looking to enhance the wide range of services to communities across Northern Ireland with Clare Lodge just one of the ways the organisation supports people in need, offering guests a “beautiful, warm location for those in need to spend some quality time.”